The editorial with the caption “Prayer the first occupation” in Light of Truth August 16-31 has beautifully explained prayer as a mode of speech, a dialogue and a way of talking closely.

“Prayer is so often just words unspoken
Whispered in tears by a heart that is broken
For God is already deeply aware
Of the burden we find too heavy to bear
And all we need to do is to seek Him in prayer
And without a word He will help us to bear.”
– Helen Rice.

Prayer is first and foremost an acceptance of our lowliness before God. It is the acceptance that He is the all powerful and loving creator and we are His magnificent creation. Only if we accept these facts,we can think of communicating and conversing with God.  Prayer is a way to align ourselves with God’s will and find peace in our lives. A habit of daily prayer brings a family together regularly to share their lives and the way God works.  When we set apart a time for daily prayer, we make family and faith a priority. One of the greatest opportunities the parents possess is the opportunity to weave a prayer into the fabric of family life.  But this is very often overlooked by the Catholic parents. I remember my younger days, when every evening, the sound of prayers from the families was rising like the incense from the thurible  and even audible to passers-by. I am afraid this Christian culture, the family prayer has almost vanished by the appearance of modern communication gadgets. The result is the absence of the daily family togetherness and spiritual closeness in most of the Catholic families. It is necessary to realise that prayer gives a hope and satisfaction to our minds. How it can be restored — it is a matter the priests and the parents to consider, sincerely and seriously.

K. C. Thomas, St. Mary’s Parish CBD-Belapur-400614